Smart Home : Beginner-friendly Guide

In a previous article, I suggested building a smart home as a Christmas gift for your tech-savvy dad. Little did I know it would spark such interest—over 50 of you wrote in asking for more specifics! That’s why this article is dedicated to making your smart home journey easier and more efficient.

While the idea of building a smart home can feel daunting, it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With beginner-friendly kits and tools, creating a connected, efficient, and convenient living space is simpler than ever.

Whether you’re looking to automate your lights, optimize your thermostat, or enhance home security, there’s a smart solution for every need and budget. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started and grow your smart home setup with ease.

1. Start with a smart hub: The heart of your smart home

Fundamentally, a smart hub plays the role of your home’s ‘brain’ while it operates itself akin to a control center. Such can enable users to work their magic on quite a few products you already have that can get wired up for smart functions from one place: things such as lights, thermostats, cameras, etc.

Well, all of that within one application on your cell phone or a voice command due to a smart assistant-like Alexa or Google Assistant.

The suggested smart hubs:

• Amazon echo: Interestingly, better known for Alexa inside, Echo lends voice to hundreds of smart devices. 
• Google nest Hub: Perfect for those invested in the Google Assistant ecosystem, Nest Hub provides one very user-friendly interface and works quite seamlessly with the company’s various smart home devices.
• Samsung SmartThings Hub: A perfect device for those who desire to integrate multiple smart gadgets from a host of brands. SmartThings Hub connects via Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi.

2. Smart lighting: Change ambiance with a touch of a button

Smart lighting is probably one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to modernize your home. You can so easily change the brightness and color, and even include scheduling with smart bulbs. Many of the smart lighting systems have voice control, which is pretty cool for changing the mood in any room without even having to lift a finger. Curious about more smart accessories and tools? Check out our blog on Top affordable gadgets and accessories for tech-savvy dads for additional recommendations.

Recommended smart lighting solutions:

• Philips Hue: It offers a range of bulbs, light strips, and lamps, and all are quite manipulative and easy to install. 
• LIFX: provides no-hub smart bulbs; these can be connected directly with your Wi-Fi.
• Wyze Bulb: Wyze bulbs provide all the basic features at an affordable price and are quite reliable.

3. Smart thermostats: Save energy, increase comfort

It will let you efficiently regulate the temperature in your house. The thermostat itself, with smart learning for schedules and preferences, will manage the temperatures for you to save energy bills, all while you barely think about it. 

Smart thermostats:

• Google Nest Thermostat: Nest leads the charts in the Smart category, with the majority of them being relatively easy to install and able to work with several types of heating and cooling systems. It can enable remote control directly on Google’s Home app.
• Ecobee SmartThermostat: With Alexa Built-In, room sensors, plus even further power-saving modes, this would beautifully do for big, zone-type houses.
• Honeywell home T9 : An affordable means, Honeywell offers smart Scheduling and Temperature in each room.

4. Smart home security: shield your abode with effortless installation cameras and sensors

Probably among the significant reasons anybody builds a smart home for security purposes. Anyhow, some highly feasible installing cameras and Sensors are ready to monitor easily every corner of your house.

Following are recommended smart security solution :

• Ring Video Doorbell: Ring is the hot-selling smart doorbell in the market, featuring high-definition video, two-way audio, and motion detection. Besides, it works perfectly with Alexa for voice control.
• Arlo Pro 4: Arlo offers wire-free cameras with 4K video quality, night vision, and an inbuilt spotlight for extra security.
• Wyze Cam: It is one of the most budget-friendly cameras, with good video. It’s pretty easy to set up and can be accessed from anywhere with the Wyze app.

5. Smart plugs: Switch appliances on/off from anywhere

Smart plugs are some of the most affordable and versatile pieces of smart home hardware. They plug into your existing outlets and let you control lamps, coffee makers, and all other devices remotely with either your smartphone or voice. 

Recommended smart plugs: 

• TP-Link Kasa smart plug: TP-Link Kasa plugs are affordable and reliable besides being easy to set up. They work well with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Amazon smart plug: An Amazon Smart Plug would be an addition for those deeply ingrained in the Alexa ecosystem because it’s in that ecosystem and goes in tune with Alexa. Meross 
• Smart Plug: Much more budget-friendly than any of its rivals, Meross plug is the answer to all budget concerns, since it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit. 

6. Smart speakers and assistants: Give voice to your home

Basically, that means a smart speaker with a voice assistant, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, will be the brain of your smart home. In addition to device control, smart speakers can also play music, answer questions, and can even create shopping lists. For ideas to combine smart home upgrades with a functional workspace, read our blog on Affordable workspace upgrades for your tech-savvy dad. 

Recommended smart speakers:

• Amazon Echo Dot: The Echo Dot is an easy way to get Alexa into your home on a very reasonable budget. In this compact size, it included all the basic functions that were there in its previous version, like voice control over other smart devices.
• Google Nest Mini: For the Google fans, the Nest Mini is compact yet a powerhouse speaker that can take up most of the work on smart devices and more.
• Apple homePod mini: For the Apple user, HomePod Mini will integrate well with Siri and other Apple products.

Wrapping it up: Building your smart home on a budget

Smart homes really don’t have to be about complicated or expensive projects. With simple devices like smart lighting, thermostats, plugs, and security cameras, you will go a long way in building a connected home of convenience, safety, and efficiency. And the best part is, it is now so easy to get started with so many beginner-friendly kits available that make for such a smart home.

Key takeaways: